Hydraulic lift mechanism



Feb. 11,1941. E. R. BARRETT .HYDRAULIC LIFT MEQHANISM Filed March 5o, 19:58 '2 sheets-sheet 1 [N VENTOR Zin/dri R df'fei'i BY v l i @j oys.

P81111, 1941. E, R BARRETT 2,231,242

HYDRAULIC LIFT MECHANIM l Filed March 30, 1938 2 Sheets-,Sheet 2 Patented Feb. il, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC LIFT MECHANISM poration of Michigan Application March 30,

4 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates to vehicle body lifting mechanisms,v and in particular provides an improved hydraulic mechanism for effecting a lifting or dumping movement of a vehicle body relative to its supporting frame.

Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved lifting mechanism characterized broadly in that it may be manufactured as a separate unit and installed upon existing vehicle frames without alteration in the .construction or form thereof; to provide such a cons-truction embodying supporting members adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, and embodying hydraulically actuated ram mechanism disposed for connection to the vehicle body and actuable to effect a tilting or dumping movement of the body; to provide such a construction embodying one or more uld pressureactuated rams. disposed to be rigidly connected to a cross member, which cross member is disposed to be rotatably secured to the vehicle frame; to provide such a construction characterized in that the uid for actuating the rarn mechanism is disposed to be supplied through the supporting member; to provide such a construction arranged to support one or more ram mechanisms between the vehicle side frame members; to provide such a construction in which the cross member is disposed to support one or more ram mechanisms in outboard relation to the vehicle side frame members; to provide an arrangement of the last men-tioned type including bearing supports for the outer sides of the outboard ram mechanisms; and to provide arrangements of the above generally indicated character whlch are economical of manufacture, simple of assembly, and which are extremely effective and serviceable in operation.

With the above, as Well as other objects in view, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a view in elevation of an illustrative dump type body construction with which the invention may be associated;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation, with certain of the parts shown in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken` along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a modied struc- 1938, Serial No. 198,974

ture, being the particular structure embodied in the arrangement in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view of another modification of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a view of a further modification of 5 the invention.

Referring first to the general view, Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that the illustrative vehicle body l0 is pivotally connected, by a suitable pivotal mounting I2, to the main frame it of the associatedl vehicle. The frame ld is provided with the usual rear wheels, such as l5, and it will be understood that the front end 14a of the frame I4 may be connected to a suitable power unit in any usual way.

The mechanism to which the present invention particularly relates is designated as a whole in Figure 1 as I6, and comprises fluid pressure operated mechanism, which is pivotally connected, as indicated at I8, to the body frame 20, 20 and is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame I4 by means of the hereinafter described subframe structure. When the ram I6 is in its retracted position, shown in Fig. 1, the forward end of the body frame 20 rests upon and is sup- 25 ported by the frame I4 of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that if the ram I6 is projected, it pivots the body Ill about the bearing I2 relative to the frame I4.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the 30 lifting mechanism comprises a pair of similar, laterally spaced rams, 24 and 26. Each of the rams 24 and 26 preferably embodies the construction specii'lcally described and claimed in' applicants copending application, Serial No. 35 199,485, filed April 1, 1938, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. As described in more detail in the just identifled copending application, the rams 24 and 26 are of the so-called displacement or telescopic type, 40 and comprise a series of telescopically related cylindrical elements 28, 30, 32, and 34. The lower end of the outer cylindrical element 28 is closed by a plate 36, and the upper end of the inner cylindrical element 28 is closed by the 5 member 38, which is formed to provide an eye 40 by which the ram may be connected to the body frame 20 by the previously mentioned pivotal connection IB.

The rams are preferably provided with cylin- 50 drical enclosing brackets 42, each having a tubular opening 44 therethrough which receives the associated ram, and also having an outwardly projecting flange 46 at one side and an outwardly projecting flange 48 at the other side. 55

anges 48 associated with the two rams 24 and 26 are of tubular form and constitute bearings by which the ram mechanism is rotatably supported upon the sub-frame members designated as a whole as 60 and 6|. The flange 48 associated with the right hand ram 26 rotatably receives a trunnion 82, the outer ilange 84 whereof is secured as by bolts 68, to the web 68 of the sub-frame member 60. The ilange 48 associated with the ram 24 rotatably receives a sleeve 10, which is non-rotatably connected to the web 12 of the sub-frame member 6| by bolts I14.

The sub-frame member 60 comprises a right l tioned web 68, to the back oi' which members 18,

80, and 82 yare welded, or otherwise suitablyecured, to constitute a box section. The members 18 and 80 have openings therethroughto accommodate the previously mentioned trunnion 62. The sub-frame member 80 rests directly upon one side of the main vehicle i'rame I4, with the box section element 82 resting uponthe ilange |4b, and the web 68 lying in abutting relation to the web |4c of the trame. 'I'he web 68 is provided with a lug 84 to form a support for a bolt member 86, the vhooked end 88 whereof hooks over` the lower flange |4d of the frame. 'I'he box sectionv element 82 is provided with ya downwardly turned flange 90 which hooks `over the `upper frame flange |4b. With this relation, it will be apprej ciated that by tightening down on the nut 92 .associated with thebolt 86, the sub-frame member 60 is rigidly secured to the vehicle frame f|'4. The described arrangement is extremely advantageous in that it may be applied to existing frame constructions without requiring alterations thereof in any respect and without.

arming of any mounting holes therethrough."

The 1eft hand sub-frame sl lcmrespomis in au respects to the arrangement just described'with reference to the right hand sub-frame member 60 (not shown). 'Ihe line |00 is rotatably connected through a conventional union |02 to a short 'length of pipe |04 which passes axially through the previously mentioned sleeve 10, and is threaded into the bore of the ilange 48 associated with the left hand ram 24. The pipe |04 thus pivots as a unit with the ram 24. The pipe |04 opens into a circumferentially extending recess |06, provided in the bracket associated with the ram 24, and this recess opens directly into the bore |08 of said bracket. |08 communicates directly with the bore |0 of the companion bracket.

As clearly appears in connection with ram 24. the wall of the outer cylindrical element 28 thereof is provided with one or more openings, such as II2, which open into the space between the cylindrical elements 28 and 30. 'I'he ram 261s, of course, correspondingly arranged so that the line thus directly communicates with the interior of each ram.

As clearly appears in Figs. 2 and 3, the collar 'I'he just mentioned boreA H4, which projects outwardly from the base of the cylinder 30 oi.' each ram, and which forms a bearing connection between such cylinder and the outer cylinder 28, is provided with a number of grooves, such as ||6. These grooves form a iiuid connection between the openings 2 and the chamber space ||8 immediately above the base plate 36 of the associated ram.

With this arrangement, it will be appreciated that uid supplied to the line |00 is free to circulate through the pipe |04. around the recess |06, and through the openings ||2 into the ram 24. At thesame time, the fluid is enabled to flow through the bores |08 and ||0 into the ram 26,-in corresponding manner. The fluid thus suppliedis eilective, as is described in more detail in the, above identiiied copending application, to cause sequential projecting movements of the cylindrical elements 34, 32, and 30 relative to the outer cylindrical element 28. These projecting f movements cause a lifting of the vehicle body I0, angled member 16, having the previously.v menduring which lifting movement some pivotal ac- -tion occursvbetween the body i0 and the ram vstructure I6,l about the upper bearing I8. A corresponding-pivotal movement occurs between the rams 24 and 26 and the sub-frame members 60 and6l, during which movement the brackets 42 rotaterelative to the trunnion 62 and the sleeve Y10."l-l) furing,the latter pivotal movement, the connectingpipe |04 rotates with the rams 24 and 26. '.fThe provision of the rotatable union, howevery-permits. the. supply nipple to be rigidly mounted, thus eliminating an otherwise existing 'i1-necessity for flexible connections leading to the rams.

' It will be understood that if the iluid pressure acting through the nipple |00 is relieved, the '-weight'of the body I0, acting in a downward div'retitiomisvfeilective to exhaust the iiuid from the .Srax'nsj-Zlfand 26 through the previously described iluidjcircuin thus permitting the rams 24 and 26 lmtopresume their retracted positions. As is described in more detail in the copending applicationffidentied above, the bases of the cylindrical elements "30, 32, and 34 are preferably enclosed yplates having restricted passages such as |20 therethrough, which restricted passages act to j--limitthe rate 'of retracting movements of the cylt inders, `and positively prevent any one cylinder Y l f from being too rapidly retracted. A smooth iow- 'Ihe iiuid for actuating the rams 24 and 26 is' hand, may be characterized as providing for thev mounting of a pair of rams in outboard relation.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, a pair of rams '24 and 26', which may correspond to the previously described rams 24 and 26, are supported upon and secured to the transverse frame members |30 and |32 by means of sub-frame members |34 and |36, a transversely extending shaft member |38, and a pair of supporting brackets |40 and |42; The brackets |40 and |42 comprise generally cylindrical body portions |44 and |46, within which the bodies of the associated rams 24' and 26' are received. The brackets are also provided with inwardly presenting anges |48 and |50, which mate with and are rigidly secured to corresponding anges |52 and |54 formed at the outer ends of the transverse shaft member The transverse shaft member |38 is provided with a tubular bore |60 which extends entirely 5 therethrough, and communicates adjacent its center with a passage |62 formed in a connecting member |64 which is rotatable relative to the transverse shaft member |38. 'Ihe outer ends of the' bore |60 communicate with corresponding bores |66 and |60 formed in the brackets |40 and |42, and these latter passages in turn communicate with the interiors of the rams 24 and 26 in the manner previously described with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.

With this relation, it will be appreciated that fluid may be introduced into and exhausted from the rams 24 and 26 through the transverse shaft member |38 and the connecting member |64. The rams 24' and 26 are rigidly secured to and so rotate with the shaft |38, thus eliminating the necessity of any fluid tight rotatable connection between the rams and the shaft. 'I'he provision of the single rotatable connecting member |64 makes it possible to connect the passage |62 with 25 a rigid supply line, thus eliminating the necessity of exible fluid connections for the hoisting mechanism.

The smb-frame members |34 and |36 constitute bearings which rotatably receive the transverse shaft member |38. Referring to the right hand side of Fig. 4, the sub-frame member |36 is provided with downwardly projecting bracket portion |10 which abuts the outer face of the main vehicle frame |32, and is also provided with a boss |15 which is provided with an opening to receive the shank of a hook shaped connecting 1 bolt |12. The hooked end |14 of the bolt |12 engages below and behind the under side of the frame member |32, and a hooked portion |16,

40 formed on the sub-frame member |36,V correspondingly engages over the top of the vehicle frame. With this relation, it will be appreciated that Iby tightening down the nut, above boss |16 associated with the bolt |12, the sub-frame member |36 is drawn into and maintained in permanent fixed relation to the main vehicle frame member. The arrangement for the sub-frame member |34 duplicates the just described arrangement.

It will be appreciated that the operation of the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 4 duplicates the operation previously described, with the exception that the forces applied between the main vehicle frame and the main vehicle body are applied at points external to or in outboard relation to the main vehicleframe.

Fig. 5 discloses an embodiment of the invention embodying the features described above with reference to Fig. 4, and, in addition, embodying 50 an additional outboard bearing for each ram.

With this arrangement, each of the rams are disposed in outboard relation to the vehicle frame, and are provided with inner and outer bearings. In Figure 5, the brackets |80, which support the 55 ram 24", correspond in construction to the previously described bracket |40, with the exception that the bracket |80 is provided on its outer face with a trunnion |82, which is adapted to be rotatably received in a bearing provided therefor in 70 an arm |84 which may be and preferably is formed at the end of a lateral extension |86 carried by the sub-frame member |88.

The remaining gure, No. 6, discloses an embodiment having the same general characteristics 75 of Fig. 4, but utilizing a different form of supporting bracket. In Figure 6, the bracket |80 associated with the ram 24"' includes a flange |82, for connection to the flange |64 of the associated transverse shaft member, and in addition. includes a substantially semi-circular grooved outer 5 portionil86, within which the body of the ram 24' is secured as by welding at a plurality of points such as |88.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of Figs. 5 and 6 include companion and similarly l constructed and arranged ram mechanisms at the opposite or right hand side of the associated vehicle, and that the operation of these embodiments corresponds in all respects to the operation of the embodiment of Figure 4. 15

It will also be appreciated that each of the herein described constructions may be readily and economically manufactured and may be correspondingly readily and economically installed upon the associated vehicle. In each instance, 20 ,the ram mechanisms are assembled in unit relation with the main supporting members which extend between the two side members of the main vehicle frame, and these main supporting members are in turn secured to the frame in 25 rotatable relation thereto by sub-frame members which are clampingly secured to the main frame. The entire hoisting mechanism may in each instance, therefore, be rapidly secured to and disconnected from the vehicle frame, the connecting 30 operation being accomplished without the necessity of drilling or otherwise altering the form or shape ofthe vehicle frame in any respect.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be ap- 35 preciated that various modiiications in the form, number, and arrangement of parts may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 40

l. In a vehicle body hoisting mechanism in which said body is mounted on a frame, the combination with a pair of uid pressure operated rams each having an outer cylinder provided with an aperture in the wall thereof, means con- 45 necting said rams to the vehicle body, a hollow bracket for each ram slldable over and rigidly securedto the cylinders between the ends thereof, said brackets each having a hollow boss communicating with said apertures, means rigidly con- 50 necting said bosses together providing communication between said rams, and means for supporting said brackets for pivotal movement upon the vehicle frame.

2. In a vehicle body hoisting mechanism in 55 which said body is mounted on a frame, the combination with a pair of fluid pressure operated rams each having an outer cylinder provided with an aperture in the wall thereof, means connecting said rams to the vehicle body, a hollow bracket 50 for each ram slldable over and rigidly secured to the cylinders between the ends thereof, said brackets each having a hollow boss communicating with said apertures, means rigidly connecting said bosses together, and means for support- 65 ing said brackets for pivotal movement upon the vehicle frame, said last named means including a hollow boss formed on each bracket, and a hollow trunnion member for each of said last named bosses disposed within such bosses, respectively. and connected to said frame.

3. In a vehiclev body hoisting mechanism in which said body is mounted on a frame, the combination with a pair of iluid pressure operated rams each having an outer cylinder provided with an aperture in the wall thereof, means connecting said rams to the vehicle body, a hollow bracket for each ram slidable over and rigidly secured to the cylinders between the ends thereof, said brackets each having a hollow boss communicating with said apertures, said bosses being disposed in facing `relationship with respect to each other, means rigidly connecting said -bosses together providing communication bevided with an aperture in the wall thereof, means connecting said rams to the vehicle body. a hollow bracket i'or each ram slidable over and rigidly secured to the cylinders between the ends thereof, said brackets each having a hollow boss communicating with said apertures, said bosses being disposed in facing relationship with respect to each other, means rigidly vconnecting said bosses together providing communication between said rams, means ior supporting said brackets for pivotal movement on the frame, said last named means including an outwardly disposed hollow boss formed on each bracket, a hollow trunnion member for each of said last named bosses disposed within such bosses, re, spectively, and connected to said frame, and means forming a fluid pressure passageway through one of said hollow trunnion members.

EDWARD R. BARRETT. 

